Swimming Pool Support Fund: What you need to know

The Spring Budget announced £60 million for the Swimming Pool Support Fund, with Phase I applications now open to eligible local authorities throughout England. Those eligible for support include leisure centres with pools run by the council and pools ran by private companies or charities on behalf of councils.

Managed by Sport England, the aim of the Support Fund is to help alleviate immediate financial pressures, as well as to provide investment in energy efficiency measures to reform facilities, reduce future operating costs and deliver long-term sustainability.

How much funding is available?

Funding is split into two main pots:

• Phase I – Revenue: £20 million is available in the form of grants to facilities with swimming pools that are especially struggling with cost pressures. This funding aims to support vulnerable facilities with their maintenance and running costs to prevent closure or reduced service hours. It is expected that successful applicants will receive a minimum of £10,000 and a maximum of £500,000 as a whole, though not all applications will receive funding. Only those with clear financial need and alignment to the assessment criteria will receive funding.
• Phase II – Capital: £40m is available by the government for capital investment to improve the energy efficiency of technologies within swimming pool facilities within the medium to long term.

How do I apply?

From 30 June 2023, applicants can use this link to receive the application form. Once completed, forms can be submitted via the online portal from 4 August 2023 until noon on 11 August 2023.

It is important to note that only one application form may be submitted per local authority on behalf of all eligible pools in the area. Applications must also have the approval of the local authority’s Section 151 officer.

When is the deadline

Phase I – Revenue for the Swimming Pool Support Fund is now open for applications, with a closing date of 11 August 2023.

Phase II – Capital is expected to open for applications in September 2023.

All successful applicants will be notified by the end of September 2023.

Applicants are encouraged to start the application process as soon as more details have been released because the timeframe for submissions is very short. There are over 800 publicly accessible pools in England and applications are expected to be competitive.